"The Nuggets game I learned a lot," Ayton said of defending Jokic after the Suns' 131-113 loss to the Lakers on Wednesday. I learned a lot about how to guard the post more. In college it's totally different when you're bigger and stronger than other guys. In the league, no matter how much bigger and stronger you are fundamentals are key and he's a fundamental guy."

The 20-year-old center will need him to learn and adapt quickly in preparation against 12 other elite big men, nine of them who play in the super competitive Western conference where every game counts towards a playoff spot.

Here's what to expect and some solutions when Ayton goes head-to-head versus the NBA's best centers in the Suns regular season schedule.

Gasol scores 67 percent of his points in the paint, yet lacks lateral quickness, vertical explosiveness that Ayton has, and tends to be liable for rotation on defense that Ayton can use by stepping away from the basket to open up backdoor plays for the Suns.

Oct. 28: Oklahoma City Thunder's Steven Adams

Ayton will need to stand his ground on defense and have teammates do strong communication with him on off-ball screen when defending Steven Adams, who gets 68.4 percent of his shots from assists, mostly off pick-and-rolls plays.

Oct. 31: San Antonio Spurs' LaMarcus Aldridge

Ayton should be aggressive and attack Aldridge at the rim to get him into foul trouble early, and on defense take charges from the six-time All Star Aldridge who will get even more touches in the post than last season (Aldridge led the NBA in post-ups with a 43.4 percent frequency) because they lack penetration threats from former slashers Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker this season.

Nov. 8: Boston Celtics' Al Horford

The five-time All Star center is the quarterback of the Celtics defense and main shotblocker who contests everything, but Ayton should let him shoot his 18-to-20-foot shot that only good 38.9 percent of time and focused on guarding the baseline where guards Kyrie Irving, Terry Rozier, and Tatum drop dimes and teardrops that Horford rebounds well for put-backs and second-chance points.

In the grudge match that NBA fans have been waited all summer and fall to see, Embiid is ranked sixth in the league's usage percentage category (30.6) who will try to overpower Ayton in the lane, use his agile footwork, and stellar 45 percent mid-range shooting on isolation plays, but Ayton needs to front him and rotate well when hedging in the seams to defend the 76ers' poorly spaced offense.

Nov. 23: Detroit Pistons' Andre Drummond

Andre Drummond is one of top rebounders in the league every year that Ayton can't let him have a game close to 20 that Drummond is capable of, so on defense Ayton will need to occasionally call for help defense when Drummond gets the ball, have teammates foul to save Ayton's own foul calls, and make Drummond earn points with his abysmal 42 percent from the charity stripe.

Dec. 13: Dallas Mavericks' Deandre Jordan

Deandre Jordan is still very athletic enough to sky over Ayton with his above the rim-style of play, and the Mavericks will have more team chemistry built before Ayton faces him again in the team's offense with Dennis Smith, Jr. and Luka Doncic throwing him lobs plays that Ayton needs to stay physical and force him away from the block to not catch.

Dec. 15: Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns

Towns is arguably the most versatile center in the modern NBA who can score at will from anywhere on the floor, but remains a defensive liability who ranked as No. 142 with a 9.4 defensive rating last season, which Ayton and the Suns guards should have a field day with on pick-and-pop and lobs plays off the pick-and-roll.

Dec. 29: Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic rematch

Last game was a baptism by fire against Jokic, who facilitates the Nuggets' offense, so Ayton will have to fight fire with his own fire and become more confident than just on his previous meeting against him going 2-for-7 shooting, and not let Jokic gain position by cutting off the passing lanes on his "pick-and-pop" shots, of which he made 45.6 percent during last season.

Feb. 6: Utah Jazz's Rudy Gobert

Gobert had a league-best 97.4 defensive rating last season and won the top award in that department, so Ayton should develop indefensible shots such as jump-hooks or sky-hooks towards the baseline, and opposite foot-to-since pivot moves like Kevin Garnett and Jack Sikma to create space between him and Gobert, and up-and-under fake moves to get Gobert off his feet and into foul trouble.

Feb. 8: Golden State Warriors' Demarcus Cousins

Pun intended, the Suns should run pick-and-roll plays all night with Ayton to attack Cousins' Achilles heel of making split decisions on the switch to defend that play.

Mar. 1: New Orleans Pelicans' Anthony Davis

This could be the second hardest matchup of the season for Ayton facing the perennial Most Valuable Player candidate who has natural guard skills for his 6-10 frame. Davis' has efficient inside play, ability to create shots off the dribble from the perimeter with mid-range shots (42.8 percent), and led the league in blocks last season (3.3 per game). Ayton will need to improve his balance and use of his length and agility to close out on Davis' drives to the hole without falling for pump fakes, defend the pick-and-roll spin, and be extremely physical against the injury-prone Davis